i think i need a cupcake

Instead of keeping up with the housework or anything visibly productive, the Saurus and I built a blanket fort and played hide and go seek:

Me, to Saurus: I’m going to lay in the fort here and count to 15 while you hide.

Me, to myself: ha! sucker! I’m totally going to take a 15 second nap.

Saurus: Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Me: one…..

Saurus: TWO!!!!!!!! (which sounds more like tee-ew)

Me: Saurus, I’m proud that you know what comes after one but that’s not how you play this game. You hide and I’ll do the counting. You count next time.

Me: two….

Saurus: THREE!!!!!!!!! (fweee!)

Me: whatever. four……

Saurus: Rabbit!!

Me: Not sure you’re getting this.

five…..

six…..

seven…..

*Saurus climbs on to the chair that was a side of our fort…*

eight……

*saurus giggle*

nine…..

WHUMP!

And just like that, Saurus pancaked me. One minute I was on ten and the next I had a Saurus spread-eagle on my stomach, which effectively knocked the wind out of me. He was going to hide on top of the fort but, being constructed only of chairs and a blanket, it didn’t hold up.

Me, wheezing: Oh my gosh!

Saurus: Wooooowwwww!!!!! YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

Me: I think I need a cupcake.

Saurus: CUPCAKE!

So…..I meant to make these cupcakes for adults at the Saurus’ birthday (since the kids had cookies and milk, I figured the adults could have cookies and milk stout……get it?!)

But then I never got around to it.

And then we drank the milk stout.

And then I bought some more.

And then the same darn thing happenend again.

Finally, I have gotten around to baking these and (even later am getting around to sharing).

Using a wonderful milk stout from Duck Rabbit, these cupcakes have just enough punch to be interesting but are still subtile enough to be loved by all.

Place chocolate in a heat-proof bowl (preferrably the one to your stand mixer) and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat beer and cream until just before boiling, stirring constantly.

Pour hot cream/beer over chocolate and whisk until smooth.

Refrigerate mixture for approx 2 hours, stirring occasionally. You're going for the consistency of thick frosting. If you don't have time to do the fridge thing (I think it's easier so I can work on other things while it cools), you can put the bowl down in a larger bowl of ice and whisk away until you get the consistency you want.

Beat the ganache until fluffy and smooth, adding the butter once piece at a time.